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MANUFACTURING TODAY WI | SUMMER 2026 21

New Lisbon’s Ben Morey Named WTEA Educator of the Year!

The Technology Educator of the Year Award recognizes a *technology educator who has provided outstanding contributions to technology education. — WTEA
By Ben Morey, New Lisbon Junior High/High that connect learning to meaningful careers.
School Through designing, building, testing, and
New Lisbon School District refining, students develop confidence in their
My name is Ben Morey and I am the ability to create solutions that improve their
recipient of the 2026 WTEA Educator of the communities and influence the world. Technol-
Year award. I have been teaching Technology ogy education creates adaptable, innovative
Education for 23 years and have been a teacher thinkers—the future workforce who will lead,
at New Lisbon Junior High/High School for the design, and transform the world.
past 22 years. I have been a proud member of
the WTEA for 22 years. My Classroom
My classroom is a place where a wide
Why Teach? variety of learning opportunities take place. I
When people ask me why I chose to bring excitement, energy, and expertise to my
become a teacher, I tell them that I like kids and students each day. I teach Design & Engineer-
I get to play with power tools! I enjoy teaching ing, Woodworking, Construction, and Welding;
students about the skilled trades and working from basic to advanced levels. My goal, as
with students as they learn high level skills that a Technology & Engineering Teacher, is to
help them become contributing members of provide active learning that is hands-on and
the workforce. I am passionate about exposing minds-on. I am strategic in how I use my time to
students to new skills, new technologies, and get the most out of the 44 minute class period.
new opportunities that are available in industry I teach skills in chunks, and break things down
today. into learnable parts so that concepts are easier
to remember and understand. enjoy collaborating, brainstorming, and having student mastery and allows for a continuous
My Beliefs About Tech Ed I work to build community and camara- a part in the direction of the class project or learning culture and student engagement and
This I believe about technology education derie in my classroom by asking my students, unit. empowerment.
in preparing students for their future: Technol- “Tell me something I don’t know.” I want stu- My students have required labs and proj- I love that I get the opportunity to teach
ogy education provides students with unique dents to feel comfortable communicating and ects that they complete to show mastery of students hands-on, minds-on skills such as
challenges and opportunities that require giving honest feedback through project evalu- skills. I make it a goal of mine to demonstrate operating the oxygen & acetylene torch to
“hands-on, minds-on” problem-solving. Tech- ations where I ask students for suggestions to tasks in several different ways; have visuals cutting a rabbet/dado wood joint on the table
nology education introduces students to tools, improve. Reflecting is an important skill to available and always check for understanding.
industry-relevant skills, and real pathways model, so students can improve. My students I want my students to demonstrate and explain
skills learned to their peers as this helps with Continued on Page 22

Engineering, Manufacturing, and Technology Careers Continued from Page 11
robotics programming, automation systems, with workforce needs while exposing stu-
engineering design, fabrication, and system dents to real-world applications and career
integration. New equipment and resources pathways. Through these investments, the
will support classroom instruction as well as Muskego-Norway School District is not only
extracurricular opportunities, including the expanding access to innovative educational
district’s growing robotics and drone pro- experiences but also helping develop the
grams. Students will gain experience using next generation of skilled workers, problem
industry-relevant technologies that promote solvers, and manufacturing leaders for Wis-
creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and consin’s future economy.
real-world problem solving. By engaging stu-
dents in authentic learning experiences at the
middle school level, the district aims to spark
early interest in engineering, manufacturing, muskegonorway.org
and technology careers.
A key component of the initiative is
building stronger alignment between middle
school learning experiences and the advanced In April, Mr. Sobczyk’s Tech Ed
STEM opportunities available at Muskego students at Lake Denoon Middle School
High School, including robotics, engineering, reworked the layout of the display cases
manufacturing, and fabrication coursework. at the front entrance—replacing shelving
The district’s Innovation and Fabrication Labs and breathing new life into the space!
are designed to create a progressive learning These display areas are perfect
model where students continually build tech- for showcasing student work, and what
nical skills and confidence throughout their makes this even more special is that the
educational journey. space itself is now a product of student
The district continues to strengthen part- craftsmanship.
nerships with Wisconsin manufacturers and
industry leaders. These collaborations help Great work by our students and staff!
ensure that programming remains aligned